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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-03-29, Page 5Resident leaves with new attitude To the Editor: Due to a job opportunity out of town I have moved from Seaforth. I do leave with good thoughts of Seaforth and would like to share them with you. I have been a resident of Seaforth for the last three years and it has made a difference in my life. The friendships and personalities of people have been very tremendous. For example, Ted Sills who is younger than me, has been a good friend to me. Even though probably a lot of his friends talked about me or teased me, Ted always said hi, asked how things are going or was willing to listen to problems that I may have had. This is a good example of how I was treated most times by many of your people. A situation which has happened to me on occasion has made me grow up and reall7e who my friends are. Because of wanting to tour or belong to a crowd I have done things for people that could've caused me minor trouble with the law, people and places. Now I realize that all I was good for was just for that and. even with my own apartment peo- ple would ask me to use it for personal use and when I said no, these "so called" friends. weren't around. I didn't want to get into trouble or get anybody else in trouble and when you respect that in today's society it seems you don't have many friends. People believe more on the gossip side of things. Too bad, eh! But after hearing a per- son talk one night I know, "You are your own friend and buddy and no one can take that away". I've learned to let go of these people that have been using and teasing and now I do my own ting. I consider where and who the remarks are coming from. Sure it's frustrating and lonely at time. But I've been so much happier since learning to say no to people who want me to buy booze or use my place for personal use. For this has pro- mpted me to look at myself and go on without worrying and being upset. Sure, I respect everyone in Seaforth younger or older. If they don't respect my wishes and understand, well that's their problem, not mine anymore. I have too much respect for people who like me for who I am, a human being who just wants friendship and people to like him as he is. In Seaforth. 1 can say I have many who, I at least, consider my friends. In conclusion, I may have not been a part of a crowd or, group of friends, or even had everybody's respect, that's to be expected. I know I've gained a lot of confidence, and friends throughout the community of Seaforth and area. I will, of course, be back time to time, (Oh! sorry for the ones who thought I was leaving for good - that's your problem because I've learned to respect and accept everyone for what and who they are). I'm not the only one who's had a very bad attitude, but I've replaced it with accep- tance and mostly gratitude in some way wherever I see possible. Respectfully, Mark J. Smith Brussels area farmer • from page 2 At our farm we've been feeding virgin bulls for slaughter since 1968... we find this works well for us when we are free to negotiate a price with a packer and move relatively small lots, usually 6-15 bulls direct from our farm to the kill floor ... a Beef Agency would greatly complicate and or probably eliminate this opportunity for us as well as others. Breeding and feeding cattle of a par- ticular type for a special market is a grow - ROSS PROCTER, cattleman of RR 5 Brussels, is an outspoken opponent of supply management in the beef industry. He says when he. gets to cast his ballot in the April 14 Beef Vote, which will determine the direction the marketting system for beef InOn- tario and perhaps Canada, he will be voting "no" to "the proposed producer -controlled marketing commission which woud regulate the sale of all beef cattle in Ontario." He says he, is voting "no" so his children and grandchildren will have the same oppor- tunities he had. Corbett photo. Quotas like steroids •• from page I dividual choice marketing, and the con- tinuation of the Ontario Cattleman's Association as the official voice of the pro- ducers in Ontario. If one votes "Yes" on question 1, he may also vote on question 2 which reads: "2. Are you in favor of the above propos- ed producer controlled marketing com- mission working towards a national beef cattle marketing plan with the authority to manage supply and determine price?" A "yes" vote on question two would result in the commission beginning discus- sions with other provinces on a national marketing plan. What has Mr. Procter so upset is that he sees the proposed commission adding a lot of government control and costs, without the addition of long term benefits to producers. He admits that over the short term a supply management system could be a financial benefit to some producers, but he says over the long run it will be expensive or impossible for other people to buy quotas and get into the industry. "It's a futile system," he says, "it rewards the few for a little while. But for my grandchildren it would mean another opportunity gone." Mr. Procter also admits Bodmin Farms Ltd., in which he is an owner, made money when poultry quotas were voted in, for be- ing in operation when the system was im- plemented. But he says he still doesn't think the systems benefit anyone in the long run. "If they (the Beef Producers for Change) think quotas are such a hell of a good idea, why don't they buy into some quotas." "In the short run it looks good for the few producers who get in," explains Mr. Pro- cter. "But the real flaw to a controlled system is that if it was applied to all of agriculture we'd have to lay off half of the farmers, and half of the land would have to be put away." • Mr. Procter says he attended the annual meeting of the Ontario Beef Producers for Change, where he says he saw few resolu- tions passed with no debate. He says of the supposed 4,300 members of the Producers for Change he counted only 40 or 50 people in the audience of 200 who were members. The rest he says were interested people from the industry, or people from the On- tario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Be says the Beef Producers for Change have made statements and proposals which aren't supported by facts or methods. One Mr. Procter points out is a statement that if the commission is voted into power the industry will go to its import ceiling. .Mr. Procter says figures show it is at the import ceiling now and has been con- sistently, so there's no room for increases. Beef.prices in Eastern Ontario and the Toronto market are ,the highest in North America,;Mr. Procter says, "and you can't do,bctter'ttban :.that." 'Fiirihertmore, Mr. -Procter is against anything which would restrict beef sales across the U.S. border, where there are millions of consumers within easy distance of Ontario shippers. "If the Dutch and Danish producers could transplant their nations into Ontario, where they could supply 100 million of the world's wealthiest consumers, would they be trying to close the border? You've got to leave your doors open." Mr. Procter believes in the free market and voluntary exchange, "instead of try- ing to build walls around ourselves and force prices up." He says the additional cost of ad- ministering a supply management system would inevitably come out of the con- sumers' pocket, either in beef prices or in taxes. He points out that in the egg in- dustry there are 30 government people to organize 700 producers. So how many bureaucrats, he asks, will it take to organize 40,000 beef producers, and what will it cost? "We want there to be opportunities for people. We don't want to bottle it all up," says Mr. Procter. His sons Don and Cam have each purchased cattle on their own, separate from Bodmin Ltd. Don started with 30 cattle and a rented barn. Seven months later he sold them, made a profit, and bought more. Today he has 90 animals. Cam has 88, and his brother Chris recently started with 22. "And it's free, they can try," adds Mr. Procter. However, he feels this opportuni- ty would be endangered ,by the establish- ment of a commission and quotas. He points out also that the vast majority of the 40,000 beef producers in Ontario aren't big producers. Only 150 cattlemen in Ontario have over 150 head of cattle, while the average herd is only of 18 to 22 beasts. Most producers can make more profitable use of their land, and for them beef is a se- cond, third or fourth income. He says they purchase cattle because they have scrubland with no better alternative use, but under the quota system they may not be able to acquire cattle. All quota would be property of the commission, and quota which was not used would be re -allocated through a "lottery system to qualifying producers" according to the proposals be- ing voted on. But the Brussels cattleman has little faith that the commission would last even if it is given life through the April 14 vote. "If this thing goes to controls I predict it'll fall apart anyway. We are three per cent of the population, us farmers. When the other 97 per cent of the population sees what we're doing, feathering our beds, it'll all fall apart." He points out similar systems are cur- rently ,breaking down in Australia and New Zealand. "Beef is one of the last free enterprise commodities. Once we make a decision that'sgovernment backed, it will be hell on .wheels.,to get, back.. So, producers should get ,information .and know ,what they're voting •for,".advises '1" . Prost r. ing opportunity for beef producers in On- tario, where customers want to know how it was grown, where it was grown, and that you can deliver the same quality time after time... A Beef Agency would break the direct contact between producer and con- sumer and complicate . or probably eliminate this growing opportunity. • Supply management is a bit like Ben's alleged steroid injection... a bit of a lift for the "Short Run", (no pun intended) but the after effects aren't so hot! Here at Bodmin Farms, we've made some easy money with chicken broilers, because we got our quota for "being alive and breathing", when it was voted in, but now at $15 per bird, the next generation is S.O.L. ... and if we capitalize our quota ... we aren't making any money... it won't pencil out. So I guess the best I can say for supply management is that it rewards the first few for a little while. Yesterday a dairy neighbor of mine asked me if I had any idea how supply manage- ment could be made to work in beef ... he said he didn't know ... I told him 'I didn't ... Beef Producers for Change haven't given any concrete details ... so I'll leave that one with you ... Please call or write as soon as you have it figured out. I'll sign off now with something I saw on an office wall in the 1950s ... I don't know who wrote it, but here it is: - I hate the guys who criticize the guys whose enterprise helps them rise above the guys who criticize! P.S. I'm voting `.`NO" so my kids and grandkids have at least something they can try, without paying for, and or answering to, A Board or Agency. Ross Procter Rfl 5 Brussels, Inform '• tion on vote available to producers Several informational meetings on the beef vote .are scheduled across Ontario in late March and Early April. These meetings will provide detailed information on the up- coming vote. The Perth meeting is schedul- ed for Wednesday, April 5th at 8:00 p.m. at the Upper Kinsman Hall at the Stratford fairgrounds. Producers with a conflicting date will be able to attend meetings in sur- rounding counties. Thursday, March 30 - Harriston-Minto Community Centre, Harriston at 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 31 - Exeter Legion Hall, 8:00 p.m. Ivlonday, April 3 - Brussels Community Centre, 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 - Quality Inn, Woodstock, 8:00 p.m. These meetings will feature a debate bet- ween representatives from the"'Ontario Cat- tlemen's Association and the Beef Pro- ducers for Change Inc. The debate will be moderated by representatives from the On- tario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Pro- ducers will have an opportunity to ask ques- tions at the meeting. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MARCH 29, 1989 — 5A BAUER TRAVEL SERVI E :10ATEWAY d L:ORU invite you to join our Escorted Tour to VIENNA (City of Haydn, Mozart & Strauss) 1404 quagatatf HUNGARY & YUGOSLAVIA JUNE 30 - JULY 15 TOUR INCLUDES • Full tour itinerary by Deluxe Motorcoach • First class hotels throughout • Airfare via Air Canada Toronto — Vienna • Taxes and Insurance • Return bus transport Toronto Airport • Fully hosted by Harold Bauer For Complete Details Contact BAUER TRAVEL SERVICE 1 Main St., Seaforth 527-1666 r The gavel Merchani,,,.. JStrettord City Centre -lNew Hamburg Travel 15 Downie St., 96 Peel Street Stratford, Ont. NSA 1W6 New Hamburg, Orit. 271-8031 NOB 260 or 862.3320 1.600-265-4919 JSt. Marys Office 141 Queen Street St. Marys, Ont. NOM 2V0 294.1030 JCitnton Office 7 Ontario St., Clinton, Ont. NOM 16.0 492-5711 ITIS TAX TIME Computerized T®x Returns •NESSON1A.9. (Donee While Yee Welt) $roes $25. •9:ARM (72 Neer rurneround) from $300. 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TOPICS INCLUDE: •Safe Handling Of Nurse Tanks •Fire Safety •Applicating Equipment *Protective Equipment LUNCH PROVIDED Please Register By Phoning Seaforth CO-OP 527-0770 HENSALL DISTRICT CO.OPERATIVE Seaforth .Hansall Zurich Eirucefield • 527.0770 26240.02 236.4393 23348823 1 A